PLEASE help me out of my tea funk

Ever since my primary care physician and neurologist both told me to stop having any caffeine because of my migraines, both specifically mentioning my intake of tea, I have been in a tea funk. Mind you, I’m still drinking caffeine in the form of diet soda (sigh). I don’t know why, but I just can’t be bothered to heat up water, measure out the tea, get out the Splenda, etc. etc. I have so many delicious samples to try; there is no lack of tea in the house. I still adore tea. I just can’t bring myself to drink it. I let my doctors know that I am happy to do everything else that they want but that I will not stop drinking tea; however, I seem to have stopped drinking tea. What’s my problem?

I’m not a doctor or a psychologist, however, I have dealt with severe depression almost my entire life. I suspect that may be what is going on here. I think that your diagnosis may have been more traumatic to you than you realize and there may be some post-trauma depression going on. The next time you visit your doctor, you might ask for a recommendation for a therapist.

Rachel – I have had tea funks as well. I agree with LiberTEAS above. Also, sometimes simply breaking the cycle and making that first cup of tea can help you get back into tea. For me when I don’t make tea (or do anything I really enjoy) I get more upset, down, etc. which then means I make less tea, etc.

Give yourself some time; this diagnosis is new to you and you need a little time to process it. Someone who gets in an auto accident may well be afraid to drive, or even to travel by car, for awhile until their brain can put the incident into its proper perspective. Think “moderation” and remember, going without things you enjoy can do you as much harm as overindulging in them. And lose the damned diet soda, especially if in contains aspartame.

And now a very large and credible study over 22 years, the Nurse’s Health Study, shows a link between aspartame and leukemia and other cancers. I really liked Coke Zero, but I’m glad I gave it up for tea!

I think that as with all things, these changes sometimes just happen. I’ve been drinking only a cup of tea a day for the past year because I never seem to have the drive to make more – but I still love tea, I still have lots, and I still enjoy discussing it with others who are more passionate than I. Time may be what’s required on that front. :(

Also, side note but is it even remotely possible that the aspartame or sucralose in the diet soda/Splenda contributes to your migraines? Aspartame happens to give me headaches and I know I’m not the only one.

I agree about dropping the diet soda! My daughter and I are both type 1 diabetic and I REFUSE to consume that stuff! IF and WHEN which is rare either of us want soda we get the regular stuff and take more insulin for it – diet soda IS THAT terrible.

As for the tea maybe switching only to pure teas would help? I am not a doctor but I would consider teas that are not “adulterated” perhaps and see if maybe that helps lessen the effects of the migraines.

I stopped drinking diet soda in 1999 I think … :) It was kind of a novelty for a few years (for obvious reasons) but once you get over initial hype – it’s just making you want to drink more and isn’t tasty at all.

Caffeine is the most water soluble compound in tea. The vast majority of the caffeine is infused right away. If you use a gaiwan and “wake up the leaves” by steeping your tea for about ten seconds and then pouring the water off you will remove about 80% of the caffeine from the tea. If migraines are the issue you might also try steeping the tea at lower temperatures. Low temperature steeping extracts more of the theanine. Theanine is a relaxant. Gyokuro can be steeped as cool as 140 degrees and is already high in theanine due to being shade grown.

Right you are Michelle. I have attended numerous lectures by experts who have consistently repeated this assertion. One of whom was a PHD in Biological Chemistry and heads a lab at a major Pharmeceutical company. Interesting that after your reply I was easily able find some studies that seem put that question to rest yet every one of the doctors, naturopaths and scientists that I have listened to has not done the same.

The migraines I’ve had since 3rd grade. I definitely wasn’t allowed any diet sodas or other caffeinated beverages back in 1981. So I knew my docs had to think a little harder about the reasons behind them. I know that changes in the barometric pressure will cause one. Zeks, sumatriptan is a little too harsh for me so I’m on its little brother, naratriptan. It works for me. BTW, I make my sodas with my SodaStream. They are made with Splenda.

I think that those of you who pinpointed depression may be right. It’s been a rough year for me medically. On November 17 of 2011, I had to have emergency open heart surgery to repair an error a doctor made during a routine procedure. The recovery was long and taxing. Then, right about when I was physically recovered from that, I started having more medical problems which have finally now been diagnosed as lupus and the lupus anticoagulant (clotting disorder) but I have been to so many docs in the meantime and taken so many tests because they wanted to make sure it wasn’t my heart before they looked into anything else. I was also found to have a vestibular disorder which affects my balance and makes me dizzy every now and then. I’m facing bankruptcy with all the medical bills.

I really haven’t dealt with this past year in any meaningful way, and the therapist I tried didn’t go into that at all. I didn’t connect with her so I have called another counseling service that takes Medicare and am hopeful that I can get a therapist who will help me deal with all this stuff a little better. In the meantime I have determined that I’m going to start tomorrow morning with a little Good Morning Sunshine guayusa from Butiki Teas! If that doesn’t cheer me up, what will? ;-)

Ugh, I was fortunate in that my migraines in grades four and five were related to my poor eyesight which was easily corrected with some snazzy specs. Wishing you better medical luck in the future – and if nothing else, the strength of spirit to rise above the trials! :)

Finding a therapist that you can relate to is vital. After all you’re going to be talking about very intimate stuff so you need to feel very comfortable with your therapist. It’s not easy finding one that accepts Medicare. I’d ask your doctor for a list of referrals … especially since Medicare usually doesn’t allow specialists that haven’t been referred by your primary care doctor.

I wish you the best of luck with finding some balance and peace in your life so that you can return to drinking tea … which itself can be a very peaceful thing.

Please add me to the list. Best of luck in finding a therapist that clicks with you. Have a nice cup of tea (even herbal is good) and a silly movie that makes you laugh. (I have a friend with lupus and have learned that laughter and optimism are so very important.) Wishing you luck and many blessings.

My husband’s migraines turned out to be triggered by MSG. I had to get a list of all the things that they can call MSG on a food label because there are so many terms for it. We avoid one particular Chinese restaurant in town that triggered a reaction in both of us. (MSG makes me high and then sleepy.) A friend tried feverfew at the advice of her P.A. and said she went from 3 debilitating migraines a week (for many years) to maybe one or two a year.

I think it sounds like depression, too. I do hope you start feeling better soon! You have had so much trauma to your body and bodies can react with depression. Your “feel good” stuff gets depleted. You sound like a very strong person. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

I crash hard after ingesting MSG. Really hard. I am convinced that green tea helps counter it somewhat, but at this point I am banned from all the local Chinese food places, and only have one place about 20 miles and allll the traffics away from here where I can still have a Peking duck. So worth it. How many names are there for MSG?